Difference Between Intimidation and Bullying

Intimidation vs Bullying

Though there is a difference between intimidation and bullying, both are close in action and thus, some take them as words having the same meaning and use them interchangeably. Intimidation and Bullying can be viewed as violent behavior towards an individual, which can take place in a number of settings such as the school, workplace, or even on streets. Intimidation can be considered as an act of frightening someone into doing something. Bullying, on the other hand, can be viewed as an act of domination of another through the use of force or threats. Especially, in schools, bullying is considered as a negative pattern of behavior that can be very harmful to the individual who is being subjected to bullying. Through this article let us examine the difference between intimidation and bullying while understanding these two words.

What is Intimidation?

Intimidation can be defined as theact of frightening someone into doing something. This usually involves threats that make the person, who is subjected to intimidation, feel afraid. In some countries such as the United States, this is considered as a criminal进攻. However, in order for it to become acrime, the person should knowingly communicate a threat to another. Intimidation is often associated with verbal abuse, condescension,manipulation, and sometimes physical harm. People usually intimidate others based on their differences. This can be due to the differences in种族,religion, sexual orientation,gender, etc.

例如,如果一个人受到威胁his or her sexual orientation this can be considered as a form of intimidation. Usually, when people go against what is considered as normal by the society and approved within the societal context, people are intimidated.

但是，在英语中，我们也使用“恐吓”一词。例如，当我们说“他看起来很吓人”时，这并不意味着该人使用威胁和暴力。相反，它指的是他的外表。

What is Bullying?

Bullying can be defined as anact of domination of another through the use of force or threats. Intimidation is often considered as a way of bullying. Bullying takes place in a number of contexts such as schools and even in workplaces. This can be verbal and physical as well. Bullying is often viewed as a result of an imbalance of power between two individuals or else between two groups.

For example, in a classroom, if a child is constantly being threatened, laughed about, and even hurt by another, this can be considered as an act of bullying.

一个人可能因性别，宗教，ethnic group, color or even sexual orientation, just as in the case of intimidation. The impact of being bullied especially in children is rather severe. A child can end up being depressed, isolated, and lacking social skills. There are situations where bullying has even led tosuicide.

What is the difference between Intimidation and Bullying?

• Intimidation can be considered as an act of frightening someone into doing something whereas Bullying can be viewed as an act of domination of another through the use of force or threats.

•恐吓通常被认为是欺凌的一种方式。

•一个人可能因性别，宗教群体，肤色甚至性取向而受到恐吓或欺负。

Images Courtesy:

1. The Comic History of Rome by Gilbert Abbott A Beckett通过Wikicommons（公共领域）
2. BullybyCharles LeBlanc(CC BY-SA 2.0)